by Garland M. Robinson
        The Bible is God's Word. He is the creator. "Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves..." (Psalm 100:3). The Bible is the Will of God which he has revealed to man. It's purpose is to give mankind instructions which are needed to fulfill man's design and mission while in this world. Needless to say, the majority of people neglect the Bible and choose to go their own way. The Bible, however, makes it plain that man does not have the right nor ability to choose his own way. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12; cf. 12:15; 16:25; 30:12). "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps " (Jeremiah 10:23).
        One purpose of the Bible is to reveal SIN to all men. Sin is the transgression (violation) of God's Will. "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). Paul said, "...I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet" (Romans 7:7).
        What sin is and what it is not is not determined by what men think about it, though they act as if it is. The Bible (God's Law), sets forth those things that constitute sin. There are many things the Bible says are wrong -- sin. Gala- tians 5:19-21 presents a short list of sins (there are many more): "...adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like...."
        The consequences of sin are plainly stated in the Bible. Sin separates one from God. "...Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2). Being separated from God, brings eternal damnation in hell. "...They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:21; 1 Cor. 6:9-10).
        The Bible also plainly reveals that no man or woman is exempt from sin. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:10,23). This includes me and you!
        What will you do with the knowledge of sin in your life?
        The purpose of the Bible is to reveal to men how to ESCAPE THE PENALTY OF OUR SIN. The God of love (1 John 4:8) gave us the Bible so we may know how to have forgiveness of sins. He did not have to tell us about forgiveness nor devise the plan how we may obtain forgiveness, but he did.
        God's plan of forgiveness requires blood. "...Without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22). One had to die (John 11:50-52). But not just any death and shedding of blood would do. "...It is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins" (Hebrews 10:4). It had to be human blood and not just any human blood. In speaking of Jesus the Christ, the only begotten Son of God, we read, "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:12). "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree (cross), that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed" (1 Peter 2:24). "...From Jesus Christ, who...washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Revelation 1:5). He laid down his own life for our sins (John 10:15-18). "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2).
        It is through faith in his shed blood that men obtain forgiveness (Romans 3:25-26). However, many stop at the point of "faith only" and claim forgiveness, but "faith only" brings damnation, not salvation (James 2:14-26). Saving faith is a faith that obeys the works that God would have us perform. Salvation comes to those who obey . Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).
        If you want to contact the Lord's saving blood, then you must obey (work) the Lord's Will. Jesus is "...the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him " (Hebrews 5:8-9). Are you obeying Him or do you just believe in Him? Belief without works is dead (James 2:17-26). You will never contact the blood by "faith only!" The work the Lord commands you is: believe (John 8:24), repent (Acts 2:38), confess (Acts 8:37), be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16) and be faithful (1 Corinthians 15:58).